Key witness in corruption trial: When Netanyahu gets cigars, Sara gets champagne

A key witness in the corruption trial of Benjamin Netanyahu, who is a top aide to Hollywood mogul Arnon Milchan, testifies that whenever the former prime minister was sent cigars, his wife would receive champagne, even on his birthday.

Hadas Klein again takes the stand for further cross-examination by Netanyahu’s defense attorney, Amit Hadad, in Case 1000, relating to the luxury gifts the former prime minister and his family received and any quid pro quos Netanyahu may have provided in return.

Hadad asks Klein about birthday presents and gifts of champagne.

“I don’t send champagne to Netanyahu, I send champagne to Mrs. Netanyahu on Mr. Netanyahu’s birthday,” she says.

“When cigars are sent to Netanyahu, even not on his birthday, there is no way that champagne will not also be sent to Mrs. Netanyahu,” adds Klein and says: “I don’t give out champagne without Arnon saying send it.”

Hadad attempts to show that the purchases of champagne were not in fact for the Netanyuahus and asks why purchases were only made when Milchan was in Israel. Klein responds: “Arnon sent me to tell Mrs. Netanyahu that our accountants say it looks bad when large purchases are made when he is not around.”